Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The silence of the night in Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area in Borno State, was shattered at about 12:20 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, when a large number of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists launched a fierce assault on the military's Forward Operating Base (FOB), aiming to overrun the position and deal a heavy blow to Nigeria's counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East. Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), responded with sustained and effective fire, forcing the attackers to withdraw after they suffered heavy casualties, according to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni.
The military confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised during the fierce engagement, while troops recovered weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets from the area. A post-engagement review of surveillance footage also confirmed that the retreating terrorists evacuated several casualties from the battlefield. However, the military acknowledged that the victory came at a cost. Some soldiers sustained injuries after part of the defensive position was temporarily breached, while combat enablers and military vehicles were damaged by Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire. The injured personnel were promptly evacuated by air and are currently stable, receiving medical treatment.
Distress voice notes from soldiers at the base, shared with SaharaReporters, painted a harrowing picture of the battle and revealed the desperate pleas for help from the troops on the ground. The insurgents were alleged to have set fire to some operational vehicles, ammunition and other military equipment during the assault. The soldiers subsequently called for urgent reinforcement, additional ammunition and logistics support from military authorities. One soldier, whose voice was captured in the audio, said: "We need help from Sector 3 Headquarters in Monguno for more reinforcements. We need extra vehicles". Despite the intensity of the attack, the troops remained at the base throughout the confrontation, fighting to hold their ground.
Following the attack, troops have maintained a strong presence in and around the Forward Operating Base and adjoining areas to dominate the general area, monitor terrorist movements and prevent any further attempt to re-engage the troops. The Theatre Command urged residents of Gajiram and neighbouring communities to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, while encouraging members of the public to report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest security agency. The military high command said the public can also provide information through the dedicated line: 07084988859. Exploitation of the operational area and further assessment of the terrorists' casualties and activities are ongoing.
The attack on Gajiram is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Borno State, where ISWAP and Boko Haram have continued to target military formations and soft targets in an apparent attempt to disguise their imminent defeat. Just days earlier, on August 8, 2026, the Nigerian Air Force conducted precision airstrikes in the Sambisa Forest, killing nine ISWAP fighters, including a key commander, Abu Khalid Al Muhajir. Despite these setbacks, the terrorists have shown resilience, launching coordinated attacks on military bases and communities across the North-East. The Gajiram attack underscores the persistent threat posed by ISWAP, which has exploited the vast, rugged terrain of the Lake Chad region to sustain its operations.
The Nigerian military has not officially confirmed the number of casualties on either side, and Army spokesperson, Colonel Onyechi Anele, had not responded to enquiries at the time of reporting. However, the military's statement and the soldiers' distress calls provide a glimpse into the fierce battle that unfolded in the early hours of Monday. The Theatre Command, Operation HADIN KAI, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military pressure against ISWAP and other terrorist groups operating in the North-East, vowing to continue operations until lasting peace and stability were restored across the region.
For the soldiers at Gajiram, the battle is a stark reminder of the daily sacrifices they make in the fight against terrorism. Their bravery and resilience have once again proven that the Nigerian military remains a formidable force against insurgency, even as they grapple with the challenges of inadequate equipment, delayed reinforcements and the constant threat of attack. As the exploitation of the operational area continues, the people of Gajiram and the wider Borno State can only hope that this latest victory will bring them one step closer to the peace they have long yearned for.
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